• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.171-175
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• 2015

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common chronic disease in children; in 90 percent of cases, the condition is primary (idiopathic). Toxic nephropathy can be induced by herbal medicines, and is mainly manifested as tubulointerstitial nephritis and rarely, as glomerulopathy. Here in, we describe two cases of steroid-sensitive NS, which developed after the patients received herbal medicines. A 5-year-old boy and an 8-year-old girl were separately admitted within a short time period with acute onset of generalized edema, proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and hypercholesterolemia. Each patient had previously taken herbal medicine, which had been prescribed by different oriental medical clinics for different conditions. The patients were diagnosed with herbal medicine-induced NS and were treated empirically by a standard steroid therapy, with subsequent resolution of their NS. One patient relapsed, but her NS again responded to steroid therapy. We described two unusual cases of prototypical pediatric, steroid-sensitive NS, which was presumed to be minimal-change disease that developed after the administration of herbal medicines. We also reviewed the literature.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.92-111
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• 2021

Purpose: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is the most common form of glomerulopathy in children. Most pediatric patients respond to glucocorticosteroid treatment (steroid-sensitive NS, SSNS), while approximately 10-15% will remain unresponsive or later become steroid-resistant. There has been a long-standing effort to find biomarkers that may predict steroid responsiveness. Methods: We systematically reviewed current studies which investigated clinically relevant biomarkers for predicting steroid responsiveness in pediatric NS. We performed a PubMed and EMBASE search to identify eligible articles. We collected data on urinary markers, blood/serum markers (including cellular phenotypes and mRNA expression), genotypes and HLA allele frequency. Results: A total of 659 articles were identified following electronic and manual searches. After reviewing the titles, abstracts, and full texts, 72 eligible articles were finally included. Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) seemed to be significantly elevated in SRNS than in SSNS, in both serum and urine specimen, although further validation is required. Conclusions: The present paper narratively illustrates current understandings of potential biomarkers that may help predict steroid responsiveness. Further investigation and collaboration involving a larger number of patients are necessary.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2015

Objective: To find out clinical features and long-term outcomes of idiopathic childhood nephrotic syndrome(NS) patients with late steroid resistance(LSR)/late steroid sensitiveness(LSS). Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on 480 patients diagnosed with idiopathic childhood NS at Asan Medical Center Children's Hospital from 1990 to 2013. Twenty-four patients whose responsiveness to steroids changed over a minimum 2 year follow-up period (2-17.5 years) were investigated. All patients had undergone a renal biopsy. Results: Among 480 nephrotic children, 428 (89%) were sensitive to the first steroid course. Of those who initially responded, 11 (2.5%) developed resistance to steroid therapy after relapses. LSR mostly developed between 1 month and 1 year after the initial episode. Six patients showed a minimal change and five showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Nine (82%) responded to cyclosporine or methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Of these, two had no further relapse, whereas the other seven experienced several relapses that ranged in length from 1.1 to 13.9 years. Three of the nine who initially responded to immunosuppression went on to experience several changes in steroid responsiveness. Two (18%) with resistance to immunosuppressants, including steroids, eventually progressed to end stage renal disease. Among the 52 patients (11%) who were initially steroid resistant, 13 (23%) were converted to steroid sensitive at relapses. Among these, 9 showed minimal change and 4 showed FSGS. Two had no further relapse and the other 11 responded to steroids on subsequent relapses ranging in length from 1.3 to 9.4 years. All these patients have had no further changes in steroid responsiveness with normal renal function. Conclusions: In this study, 2.5% of initial steroid responders and 25% of initial steroid non-responders changed their responsiveness to steroids at subsequent relapses. Eighteen percent of LSR patients developed end stage renal disease. All of the LSS patients showed preserved normal renal function. Responsiveness to immunosuppressants seemed to be the most important factor determining longterm outcomes in LSR/LSS patients.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2022

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a hypercoagulable state in which children are at risk of venous thromboembolism. A higher risk has been reported in children with steroid-resistant NS than in those with steroid-sensitive NS. The mortality rate of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is approximately 10% and generally results from cerebral herniation in the acute phase and an underlying disorder in the chronic phase. Our patient initially manifested as a child with massive proteinuria and generalized edema. He was treated with albumin replacement and diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and deflazacort. Non-contrast computed tomography showed areas of hyperattenuation in the superior sagittal sinus when he complained of severe headache and vomiting. Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging revealed empty delta signs in the superior sagittal, lateral transverse, and sigmoid sinuses, suggesting acute CVST. Immediate anticoagulation therapy was started with unfractionated heparin, antithrombin III replacement, and continuous antiproteinuric treatment. The current report describes a life-threatening CVST in a child with steroid-dependent NS, initially diagnosed by contrast non-enhanced computed tomography and subsequently confirmed by contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, followed by magnetic resonance venography for recanalization, addressing successful treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.7
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• pp.355-363
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• 2021

Background: Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a common renal disorder in children attributed to podocyte injury. However, children with the same diagnosis have markedly variable treatment responses, clinical courses, and outcomes, suggesting molecular heterogeneity. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the molecular responses of podocytes to nephrotic plasma to identify specific genes and signaling pathways differentiating various clinical NS groups as well as biological processes that drive injury in normal podocytes. Methods: Transcriptome profiles from immortalized human podocyte cell line exposed to the plasma of 8 subjects (steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome [SSNS], n=4; steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome [SRNS], n=2; and healthy adult individuals [control], n=2) were generated using microarray analysis. Results: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of global gene expression data was broadly correlated with the clinical classification of NS. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis of diseased groups (SSNS or SRNS) versus healthy controls identified 105 genes (58 up-regulated, 47 down-regulated) in SSNS and 139 genes (78 up-regulated, 61 down-regulated) in SRNS with 55 common to SSNS and SRNS, while the rest were unique (50 in SSNS, 84 genes in SRNS). Pathway analysis of the significant (P≤0.05, -1≤ log2 FC ≥1) differentially expressed genes identified the transforming growth factor-β and Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathways to be involved in both SSNS and SRNS. DGE analysis of SSNS versus SRNS identified 2,350 genes with values of P≤0.05, and a heatmap of corresponding expression values of these genes in each subject showed clear differences in SSNS and SRNS. Conclusion: Our study observations indicate that, although podocyte injury follows similar pathways in different clinical subgroups, the pathways are modulated differently as evidenced by the heatmap. Such transcriptome profiling with a larger cohort can stratify patients into intrinsic subtypes and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of podocyte injury.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Pediatric nephrotic syndrome (NS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by massive proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and generalized edema. Most childhood NS cases are idiopathic (with an unknown etiology). Traditional therapeutic approaches based on immunosuppressive agents largely support the key role of the immune system in idiopathic NS (INS), especially in the steroid-sensitive form. Although most previous studies have suggested the main role of T cell dysfunction and/or the abnormal secretion of certain glomerular permeability factors, recent studies have emphasized the role of B cells since the therapeutic efficacy of B cell depletion therapy in inducing and/or maintaining prolonged remission in patients with INS was confirmed. Furthermore, several studies have detected circulating autoantibodies that target podocyte proteins in a subset of patients with INS, suggesting an autoimmune-mediated etiology of INS. Accordingly, a new therapeutic modality using B cell-depleting drugs has been attempted, with significant effects in a subset of patients with INS. Currently, INS is considered an immune-mediated disorder caused by a complex interplay between T cells, B cells, soluble factors, and podocytes, which may vary among patients. More in-depth investigations of the pathogenic pathways of INS are required for an effective personalized therapeutic approach and to define precise targets for therapeutic intervention.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.13-16
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• 1997

Steroid induced bone loss is a serious problem in frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome especially in growing children. In order to evaluate whether $1-(OH)D_3$ (IL Sung Pharma.Co.) is effective in preventing steroid induced bone loss, we gave $0.5{\mu}g$ of $1-(OH)D_3$ for one year to forty patients with frequently relapsing nephrotic syndrome, receiving longterm prednisolone therapy (mean duration $50.12{\pm}29.40$ months). We checked the following markers before and after $1-(OH)D_3$ therapy. i.e. bone mineral density(BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry(DEXA) at the 2nd to 4th lumbar spine, serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone(PTH), osteocalcin and urine pyridinoline(U-PYD). BMD($g/cm^2$) was increased even steroid therapy from $0.71{\pm}0.0\;to\;0.73{\pm}0.0$ (p<0.05). Lumbar spine BMD is a sensitive marker for evaluating steroid induced bone loss in children receiving longterm corticosteroid therapy and that $1-(OH)D_3$ appears to be effective in treating and preventing steroid induced bone loss.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2000

Purpose : Intravenous infusion of albumin has been widely und to relieve severe nephrotic edema in spite of beneficial or harmful effects. The purpose of this study is to examine the harmful effect of albumin on the clinical course of steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome(SSNS). Method : We prospectively randomized the patients with nephrotic syndrome(biopsy proven or clinically compatible to minimal change nephrotic syndrome) into the albumin group(20$\%$ albumin 1 g/kg) or control group(5$\%$ D/W) between March 1997 and September 1999 at Ewha University Mokdong Hospital. We compared the clinical course of the albumin group(n=13) with the control group(n=13). Results : 1. The duration of steroid therapy until complete remission in the albumin group was significantly longer than the control group($13.7{\pm}6.4\;days\;vs\;7.5{\pm}2.8\;days$)(P<0.05). 2. The remission duration to the first relapse was significantly shorter in the albumin group ($94{\pm}63.5$ days) than the control group($190{\pm}106.4$ days)(P< 0.05). There was no significant difference in the relapse rate within 1 year after complete remission[77$\%$ (10/13) vs 46$\%$ (6/13)](P>0.05) and the relapse frequency per year($1.9{\pm}0.8\;vs\;1.5{\pm}0.5$) between the albumin and control groups. 3. Spot urine protein/creatinine ratio significantly increased in the albumin group at post-albumin 2, 4 days(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the change of the daily percent weight loss, blood pressure, serum Na, K concentration between the albumin and control groups. Conclusion : Albumin infusion in SSNS delayed the response to steroid and shortened the remission duration to the first relapse. Albumin should be carefully used in nephrotic edema.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.1260-1266
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• 2009

Purpose : Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) can be clinically classified as steroid-sensitive and steroid-resistant. The detailed mechanism of glucocorticoid action in NS is currently unknown. Methods : In this study, we investigated 3 known single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (ER22/23EK, N363S, and BclI) of the glucocorticoid receptor gene (the NR3C1 gene) in 190 children with NS using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and analyzed the correlation between the genotypes and clinicopathologic features of the patients. Results : Eighty patients (42.1%) were initial steroid nonresponders, of which 31 (16.3% of the total) developed end-stage renal disease during follow-up. Renal biopsy findings of 133 patients were available, of which 36 (31.9%) showed minimal changes in NS and 77 (68.1%) had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The distribution of the BclI genotypes was comparable between the patient and control groups, and the G allele frequencies in both the groups were almost the same. The ER22/23EK and N363S genotypes were homogenous as ER/ER and NN, respectively, in all the patients and in 100 control subjects. The BclI genotype showed no correlation with the NS onset age, initial steroid responsiveness, renal pathologic findings, or progression to end-stage renal disease. Conclusion : These data suggested that the ER22/23EK, N363S, and BclI SNPs in the NR3C1 gene do not affect the development of NS, initial steroid responsiveness, renal pathologic lesion, and progression to end-stage renal disease in Korean children with NS.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2008

Purpose : Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase(NAG) and beta 2-microglobulin(B2M) is considered to be a marker of tubulointerstitial injury. The aim of this study was to examine the urinary levels of NAG and B2M in children with various renal diseases. Methods : We studied 21 children(8.9$\pm$4.5 years, Male:Female=14:7) and they were divided into three groups: group I(steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome-4 patients), group II(various kinds of glomerulonephritis-4 patients), and group III(normal urinalysis or non-glomerular renal diseases-13 patients). Results : Urinary NAG levels in groups I and II were significantly higher than those in group III(19.4$\pm$11.5 and 30.0$\pm$30.1 vs. 4.7$\pm$3.9, P=0.01), while urinary B2M levels did not differ among the 3 groups, although urinary NAG levels were positively correlated with urinary B2M levels(r=0.49, P=0.03). Urinary NAG and B2M levels were all correlated with proteinuria(r=0.79, P<0.001 and r=0.68, respectively, P=0.001) serum albumin(r=-0.72, P<0.001 and r=-0.57, respectively, P=0.01) and cholesterol(r=0.58, P=0.006 and r=0.56, respectively, P=0.013) levels. Conclusions : Urinary excretions of NAG and B2M are increased in children with steroidsensitive nephrotic syndrome and various kinds of glomerulonephritis, suggesting tubular dysfunction might be present in these diseases.